Q.1) India recently signed a Plan of Implementation for shipbuilding skill development with which of the following organisations?
[a] Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
[b] Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)
[c] World Bank
[d] Asian Development Bank (ADB)
View Answer
Answer: [b] Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)
Explanation:
India signed the plan with Korea International Cooperation Agency under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The initiative focuses on workforce mapping, skill gap assessment, and capacity building in shipbuilding. It involves collaboration with the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training to develop structured training systems and strengthen India’s maritime workforce.
Q.2) The SAMPANN platform, recently seen in news, is associated with which of the following sectors?
[a] Tax administration
[b] Pension management
[c] Healthcare services[d] Education governance
View Answer
Answer: [b] Pension management
Explanation:
SAMPANN (System for Accounting and Management of Pension) is a cloud-based platform developed by the Department of Telecommunications and managed by the Controller General of Communication Accounts. Launched in 2018 under Digital India, it manages the entire pension lifecycle—from sanction to disbursement—and is now being adopted by states via a Platform-as-a-Service model.
Q.3) The CDSCO–IndiaAI Health Innovation Acceleration Hackathon, recently launched, is an initiative of which ministry?
[a] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[b] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[c] Ministry of Science and Technology
[d] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
View Answer
Answer: [b] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Explanation:
The hackathon is launched under the IndiaAI Mission, an Independent Business Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in collaboration with Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation to develop AI-driven solutions for regulatory workflows.
Q.4) The India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), recently seen in news, is an example of which type of agreement?
[a] Bilateral Investment Treaty
[b] Free Trade Agreement
[c] Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
[d] Currency Swap Agreement
View Answer
Answer: [b] Free Trade Agreement
Explanation:
The India–Australia ECTA, signed in 2022, is a Free Trade Agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers and enhancing cooperation in goods, services and investments. It has significantly boosted trade, with India’s exports to Australia rising from $4 billion (2020–21) to $8.5 billion (2024–25), and preferential tariff access granted by both countries.
Q.5) Under the newly notified concessional customs duty scheme for SEZ units, what is the maximum percentage of goods that can be sold to the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional duty?
[a] 20%
[b] 25%
[c] 30%
[d] 50%
View Answer
Answer: [c] 30%
Explanation:
Under the scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026, SEZ units can sell up to 30% of their highest annual FOB export value (of the last three years) to the DTA at concessional duty, subject to at least 20% value addition. The measure, effective from April 2026 to March 2027, benefits around 1,200 units and avoids double benefits by excluding export incentives.
Q.6) The Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme, recently extended, primarily benefits exports of which sector?
[a] Electronics
[b] Textiles (garments and made-ups)
[c] Pharmaceuticals
[d] Automobiles
View Answer
Answer: [b] Textiles (garments and made-ups)
Explanation:
The RoSCTL Scheme, extended by the Ministry of Textiles till 30 September 2026, provides rebates on embedded taxes for textile exports, especially garments and made-ups (ITC HS Chapters 61, 62, 63). Launched in 2019, it supports MSME exporters based on the zero-rating principle, while RoDTEP covers other textile categories.
Q.7) The Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT), recently seen in news, is primarily used for studying which of the following phenomena?
[a] Ocean currents
[b] Cavitation in water
[c] Atmospheric pressure changes
[d] Seismic waves
View Answer
Answer: [b] Cavitation in water
Explanation:
The Large Cavitation Tunnel at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, a unit of Defence Research and Development Organisation, is designed to study cavitation—formation of vapour bubbles due to pressure drops. It enables hydrodynamic testing of ship hulls, propellers and propulsion systems, improving efficiency, reducing noise and strengthening indigenous naval research.
Q.8) INS Taragiri, recently commissioned into the Indian Navy, belongs to which class of warships?
[a] Shivalik Class
[b] Nilgiri Class (Project 17A)
[c] Kolkata Class
[d] Kamorta Class
View Answer
Answer: [b] Nilgiri Class (Project 17A)
Explanation:
INS Taragiri is the fourth stealth frigate of Project 17A (Nilgiri Class), built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and designed by the Warship Design Bureau. With over 75% indigenous content, it features CODOG propulsion and is equipped with BrahMos, Barak-8, RBU-6000 and torpedoes, along with multi-role helicopter capability for enhanced combat operations.
Q.9) India’s defence exports reached an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025–26, marking approximately what percentage increase over the previous year?
[a] 25%
[b] 40%
[c] 62–66%
[d] 90%
View Answer
Answer: [c] 62–66%
Explanation:
According to the Ministry of Defence, defence exports rose from ₹23,622 crore in FY 2024–25 to ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025–26, an increase of about 62–66%. Growth was driven by Defence PSUs (151% rise), with exports now reaching 80+ countries and exporters increasing from 128 to 145.
Q.10) The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 aims to achieve which of the following objectives?
[a] Increase criminal penalties for violations
[b] Promote trust-based governance by decriminalising minor offences
[c] Expand taxation powers of the government
[d] Strengthen judicial oversight
View Answer
Answer: [b] Promote trust-based governance by decriminalising minor offences
Explanation:
Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026 amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts to reduce criminal penalties for minor violations and replace them with graded monetary penalties. It decriminalises 717 provisions, introduces adjudicating officers, allows warnings for first-time offences, and creates a dynamic penalty system, thereby improving ease of doing business and reducing judicial burden.